Pelt painting device



Nov. 26, 1968 vv. E. PALMER 3,412,584

PELT PAINTING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l TTORNE'Y'.

NOV. 26, 1968 W E, PALMER 3,412,584

FELT PAINTING DEVI CE Filed April 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u, /-r/ .llllll IVENTOR WML/AM E. PALMER Y TTORAZEY.

United States Patent O 3,412,584 PELI` PAINTING DEVICE William E. Palmer, Downers Grove, Ill., assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 545,614 11 Claims. (Cl. 69-32) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Method and apparatus for stretching animal pelts flat and for applying a fluid coating thereto, said apparatus comprising diverging `conveyor means to stretch a pelt transversely of the path of said conveyor, a second conveyor means lying in the path of said diverging conveyor and moving at a greater speed `than said diverging conveyor so as to longitudinally stretch the pelt as it passes from the rst to the second conveyor, and fluid application means for applying fluid to one side of the pelt.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for mechanically stretching flat flexible articles and/or for applying a fluid coating to the stretched article.

While other adaptations of the invention will become apparent, it has been found to be especially useful in applying a depilatory solution to pelts, an operation known in the trade as painting pelts. The depilatory fluid is applied to the flesh side of a pelt to loosen hair or wool, thus -decreasing the force necessary to remove the hair or wool from the pelt. P-rior to applying depilatory fluid to pelts, they should be given a two-way stretch to remove the folds and wrinkles. Painting wrinkled unstretched pelts results in some areas of the pelts being untouched by the depilatory fluid. The removal of the wool from these uncoated areas is difllcult and may raise special problems.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for biaxially stretching flat flexible articles and for coating at least one surface of said articles with a fluid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for stretching and coating animal pelts with a fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for substantially eliminating wrinkles in a pelt at the time of applying a depilatory solution.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

The present invention relates broadly to a method and apparatus for stretching and applying a fluid to a flat exible article. The method comprises biaxially stretching flat flexible articles such as an animal pelt or the like as the article is being moved along a substantially horizontal path to remove the wrinkles therefrom. Subsequently, a fluid coating is applied to at least one surface of the article as the pelt is moved along the path. The apparatus comprises a series of endless conveyors, which stretch a pelt transversely and longitudinally, and coating means for transferring fluid to the pelt as it is being conveyed along the conveyor system.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

In accordance with the present method, pelts are laid out flat on a horizontal plane and moved along a substantially horizontal path to impart a biaXial stretch to the pelt. Stretching of the pelt along an axis transverse or lateral to the path of travel is accomplished by broaden- Patented Nov. 26, 1968 ing or widening the path in a lateral direction. Longitudinal stretching is accomplished by speeding up portions of the path beneath the pelt. Fluid is lastly applied to the stretched pelt, which is substantially Wrinkle free as the pelt is moved further along the path. A depilatory fluid is preferably applied by wiping in the direction of path motion and at a faster speed than the speed of the pelt at the point of application -so as to Work the fluid into the pelt. At the same time, the opposite side or surface of the pelt is restrained against displacement from the path and against movement at a speed greater than that of the path at that point.

In the preparation of pelts for painting, it is preferable that the actual dimensional changes induced by the transverse or lateral stretch be approximately equal to the dimensional change caused by the longitudinal stretch. Unequal stretching tends to create rather than eliminate wrinkles in the pelt. The transverse and longitudinal stretching operations are advantageously carried on either simultaneously or alternated, and for large pelts repeated. In general, larger pelts are preferably stretched more than one time in each direction. For example, it is advantageous to stretch sheep pelts twice transversely and twice longitudinally prior to application of a depilatory solution.

Pelts are preferably painted by applying solution to the flesh side when the latter is exposed downwardly. Positioning the flesh side down rather than up aids in preventing the depilatory solution rfrom directly contacting the hair or wool of the pelt. Gravity tends to cause .the depilatory solution to fall away from the hair or wool when the pelt is coated with its flesh side down rather than onto the hair or wool, the situation where the pelt is painted with the flesh side up. Also, the overall pelt handling problem is made easier by coating with the flesh side down. Dehairing or pulling the wool from the pelts is commonly accomplished by exerting a pulling for-ce on a pelt positioned with its wool or hair side up as it moves along a substantially horizontal path. Thus, painting with the flesh side ydown avoids inverting the pelts for subsequent dehaing or wool pulling.

Complete fluid coverage of a pelt being conveyed flesh side down can be obtained on an endless conveyor having endless belts or strands which absorb the depilatory solution. Portions of the pelt positioned above the endless belt or strands are coated with fluid transferred from the strands. The areas of the pelt between strands or belts may be coated by a direct method such as contact with a fluid absorbent applicator roller. Preferably, the applicator roller is driven so that it rotates in the direction of conveyor t-ravel at a faster linear speed than the conveyor is moving to produce a rubbing action on the pelt which facilitates penetration of the fluid into the flesh.

With reference to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus which is particularly useful for painting sheep pelts, The apparatus includes a conveying system adapted to stretch pelts and to move the stretched pelts past a fluid applicator. The conveying system may comprise a pair of diverging endless strand conveyors 10 and 12, and a parallel strand paint conveyor 14, each conveyor having a plurality of endless strands 16, 18, and 20. The diverging conveyors include leading and trailing roller sets 22, 24 and 26, 28, respectively, and the paint conveyor includes a leading roller 30 and a trailing roller 32. Each successive conveyor 12 and 14 preferably overlaps the preceding conveyor 10, 12 respectively to form a smooth continuous path. The strands of each conveyor are trained about their respective rollers and interdigitated with Istrands of the adjacent conveyor by interspacing the trailing and leading rollers. Also each set of rollers 22, 24, 26 and 28, for the diverging conveyors 10 and 12, respectively, are comprised of two rollers, each mounted on separated angled shafts. Corresponding rollers of a leading and trailing pair are mounted substantially parallel to diverge the respective strands symmetrically -about an imaginary longitudinal centerline of the machine.

Strands 16 are spaced relatively close together along the set of rollers 22 and diverge to be spaced further apart along the set of rollers 24; strands 18 are spaced relatively close together along the set of rollers 26 so that they interdigitate with strands 16 and diverge to be spaced further apart along the axes of rotation of set of rollers 28; strands 20 run essentially parallel to each other and are spaced along roller 30 so that they interdigitate with strands 18. Interdigitating the strands of conveyors 10, 12 and 14 allows smooth transfer of a pelt from one conveyor to another, thereby precluding formation of wrinkles.

Sets of rollers 22, 24, 26 and 28 each include a Ipair of individual rollers mounted on shaft sets 33, 34, 35 and 36, respectively. The shaft sets are rotatably mounted in pillow bearings attached to a rst frame 42 and a second frame 44. The bearings are of Iconventional design. The :axes of rotation of the individual shaft sets 33, 34, 35 and 36 of each set of rollers 22, 24, 26 and 28 intersect to form and obtuse angle. Preferably, as will be described, roller sets 24 and 26 are drive rollers for diverging conveyors 16 and 18. It is desirable that both rollers of a given set be separately driven so that the inner adjacent ends of every Set of shafts may be simply mounted in pillow bearings. (However, it will be apparent each set of shafts could be connected by bevel gears or a universal joint or the like.) Sets of rollers 22, 24, 26 and 28 and rollers 30, 32 are preferably groove-d or have sheaves in which the Strands 16, 18 and 20, respectively run.

Rollers 30 and 32, about which strands 20 of conveyor 14 are trained, rotate about shafts 38 and 40, respectively. These shafts are aligned parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of conveyor travel.

It is necessary that drive means be provided to move strands 20 of conveyor 14 at a faster linear speed than strands 18 of conveyor 12, and strands 18 at a faster speed than strands 16 of conveyor 10. The driving of conveyors and 12 may be Iby a motor 46. A chain drive 48 transmits power to a sprocket wheel 50 attached to a drive shaft 52. Drive shaft 52 is connected by a universal joint 54 to an extension shaft 56. Sprocket wheels 58 are attached to the outboard ends of shafts 52, 56. Power is transmitted through a pair of chain drives 60` to a pair of sprocket wheels 62 on shafts 35 of rollers 26 and thence through a pair of chain drives 64 to a pair of sprocket wheels 66 on shafts 34 of rollers 24. Movement of strands 18 at a faster linear speed than strands 16 can conveniently be accomplished by utilizing sprocket wheels 62 and 66 of appropriate relative diameters (considering also the relative diameters of roller sets 26 and 24).

Strands 16, 18, and may be 3A@ inch diameter braided polypropylene rope. Obviously, variations in diameter and material may be made in selecting strands. The mtaterial selected should be resistant to deterioration by the depilatory uid. In the embodiment illustrated, it is desirable for uniform coating across the entire surface of the pelt that `strands 20 be capable of absorbing depilatory solution. The absorbent capability of the strands may be inherent in the material or may result from its construction, braided or otherwise. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, strands 16 are spaced as close together as possible, at about one inch, on centers, along the axes of set of rollers 22 at the loading end of the conveyor and diverge in the direction of conveyor travel to a spacing of about 2 inches, on centers, along the axes of set of rollers 24. The conveying surface formed by strands 16 diverges from an initial width of about 3 feet to a nal width of about 6 feet. Similarly, strands 18 of conveyor 12 diverge from a width of about 6 feet to about 8 feet.

A hold-down means l.generally 68 is provided to hold down pelts during transfer of a depilatory uid. This means may be a pivoted roller 70 which applies a downward force on a pelt during transfer of depilatory fluid to the pelt. Roller 70 is mounted on a shaft 72, which is journaled on a pair of arms 74 pivoted on a pair of pins 76 secured lto frame 44.

Coating means are provided for transferring depilatory uid to one surface of a pelt as it is conveyed along conveyor 14. The coating means for depilatory fluid may be in the form of an applicator roller 4which extends across the width of the conveying run formed by strands 20. The applicator roller is mounted beneath the upper run of strands 20 on a shaft 92 which is journaled to frame 44 so that its axis is parallel to the axes of shafts 38 and 40. Applicator roller 90 absorbs depliatory iiuid from a pool in a tank 94. The fluid is applied completely across a pelt as it is conveyed on strands 20 by transfer of absorbed uid thereon to the pelt, and by directly contacting the portions of the pelt spaced between strands with applicator roller 90. Strands 20 spaced even as close as about l inch apart will allow sucient contact of the pelt by applicator roller 90.

Applicator roller 90 is driven by an electric motor 95 with power transmitted from sprocket wheel 96 through a chain drive 97 to a sprocket wheel 98 on the shaft 92. Roller 32 is also driven by motor 95, power being transmitted from a sprocket wheel 99 through a chain drive 100 to sprocket wheel 102 on shaft 40. Sprocket wheel 102 is of a diameter selected with respect to sprocket wheels 96, 98, and 99 so applicator roller 90 moves at a faster linear speed than the strands 20 trained about rollers 30 and 32. The speed of strands 20, trained about roller 32, is preferably set at a faster speed than strands 18 of the preceding conveyor.

FIGURE 2 shows a supply means for providing depilatory uid to applicator roller 90. Fluid is introduced into tank 94 by pumping from a supply tank (not shown) through an inlet conduit 104. An exit conduit 106 is provided which maintains a desired fluid level in tank 94.

An important features of this invention is the provision of arching means for each successive spreading conveyor whereby the respective strands are caused to follow an arched inclining-declining path rather than a flat planar path. The purpose of this is to raise the respective conveyor strands above the interspaced leading end rollers of the next succeeding conveyor. This design also results in the trailing portion and leading portion of the upper runs of two succeeding conveyors intersecting at points spaced between and above the level of the respective trailing end and leading end roller-s. The advantage of this design is lto elevate the work pieces to a position where any dangling strands or pieces will not become fouled in the conveyor drive mechanisms or caught between a conveyor strand and its roller. Also this design avoids frictional interefrence between the strands of one conveyor and rollers of another conveyor, keeping in mind that succeeding conveyors are operated at higher speeds 'than preceding conveyors.

To accomplish this raised roller `sets R1 and R2 are provided for conveyors 10 and 12 respectively. Each raised roller set is positioned between ther espective leading end and trailing end rollers of a given conveyor and `also upstream of the leading end rollers of the next succeeding conveyor. Also it is preferred that the raised rollers are so located and elevated to train the respective conveyor strands to clear all such leading end and trailing end rollers of preceding or subsequent conveyors by about 3 inches vertical height.

A preferred Working embodiment of the disclosed and illustrated invention for stretching and painting sheepskins with a depilatory solution comprises -two series stretching conveyors and a final discharge and painting conveyor wherein each conveyor set is 5 feet long and overlaps the preceding conveyor by approximately 2 feet.

Also overall maximum width of the apparatus is approximately 8 feet and the latter dimension is also substantially the width of the conveyor strands at the trailing end of the second stretching conveyor and the leading end of the final discharge and painting conveyor.

Such a preferred working embodiment is operated to drive the first conveyor at about 30 feet per minute whereas the second and painting conveyors are diven at approximately 40 feet per minute and 5 3 feet per minute respectively. In connection with the last mentioned conveyor the preferred paint applicator roller 90 is 7 inches in diameter and is rotated at approximately 60 revoltitions per minute to provide a surface speed of about 110 feet per minute to wipe across the exposed pelt surface in the same dricetion the pelt is moved on the conveyors.

In commencing operation of the apparatus, the motor 96 is usually started first and run for a short time, preferably a length of time suflicient for strands 20 to become saturated with depilatory fluid from contact with the paint roller 90. If 3716 inch braided polypropylene rope is used about l5 minutes is suflicient to uniformly coat the strands. Motor 46 is then also started to drive conveyors 10 and 12. Pelts are placed flesh side down on the conveyor run formed by the upper portions of endless strands 16, and biaxially stretched by being conveyed across endless conveyors 10 and 12 and along conveyor 14 prior to application of depilatory fluid by applicator roller 90.

The diverging strands 16 of conveyor 10 stretch pelts transversely of the path of conveyor travel. As the strands diverge they transmit a stretching action to the pelt which they support. Conveyor 10 then transfers the pelts to a second conveyor 12 having strands 18 intermeshing with the strands 16 of conveyor 10 for smooth transfer of the pelts.

Conveyor 12 is moving at a faster speed than conveyor 10, thus movement of the pelt along the conveyor path is speeded up. When the front edge of a pelt contacts the faster moving strands l and conveyor 12, there is a tendency for the front edge of the pelt to be pulled away fromI the rest of the pelt which is still on the slower moving conveyor. This pulling action acts on the pelt until it completely leaves the first conveyor. Thus a longitudinal stretch is imparted to the pelt.

Conveyor 12 repeats the transverse stretching action performed by conveyor 10. Transfer of a pelt onto conveyor 14 which is traveling fasted than conveyor 12 imparts a second longitudinal stretch. The transfer is smooth because of the intermeshing of strands 18 and 20.

The pelt is carried by conveyor 14 in a substantially wrinkle-free condition over applicator roller 90 which is turning in the same direction as conveyor 14 but at a faster linear speed. Fluid is thus wiped into a pelt which aids in getting the depilatory absorbed by the flesh of the pelt. The absorbent strands 20, which are saturated with depilatory fluid, transfer fluid to the portions of the pelt immediately thereabove. Thus a continuous coating is applied across a pelt.

The foregoing `detailed description is only for clearness of understanding and for the purpose of complying With 35 U.S.C. 112, and I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An improved apparatus for stretching and painting pelts, said apparatus comprising: first diverging conveyor means moving along a path in a given direction at a first speed to receive a pelt laid out fiat and stretch same transversely of said given direction, said first diverging conveyor means including a plurality of endless strands trained about a leading end set of rollers and a trailing end set of rollers; second conveyor means positioned in said path beyond said first conveyor means and including a plurality of endless strands trained about a leading end set of rollers and a trailing end set of rollers, the strands of said second conveyor interdigitating with the strands of said first conveyor to receive said pelt therefrom, and said second conveyor means moving in said direction at a` faster speed so as to longitudinally stretch said pelt as it passes from said first to said second conveyor means; arching means positioned upstream of the transfer point from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, whereby the upper runs of the two conveyors intersect at an angle at a point spaced between and above the level of the respective trailing end and leading end roller sets; and fluid applying means in said path to apply fluid to a flat side of said pelt after it has been stretched both transversely and longitudinally.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid applying means is a roller positioned beneath said second conveyor means.

3. An improved apparatus for stretching and painting pelts, said apparat-us comprising: first diverging conveyor means moving along a path in a given directioin at a first speed to receive a pelt laid out fiat and stretch same transversely of said given direction; second conveyor means positioned in said path beyond said first conveyor means and moving in said direction at a faster speed, said second conveyor means interdigitating with said first conveyor means to receive said pelt therefroml and stretch said pelt longitudinally in said direction, and said second conveyor means diverging in said direction to further stretch said pelt transversely of said direction; -a third conveyor means positioned in said path beyond said second conveyor means and moving in said direction at a still faster speed, said third conveyor means interdigitating with said second conveyor means to receive said pelt therefrom and stretch said pelt further longitudinally in said direction; and fluid applying means in said path positioned adjacent said third conveyor means to apply fluid to said pelt after it has been twice stretched both transversely and longitudinally.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fluid applying means is an applicator roller positioned beneath said third conveyor means and rotated in said ydirection at an even faster speed, and including a restraining roller above said third conveyor mea-ns opposite said applicator roller.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first diverging conveyor means includes a plurality of endless strands engaging sets of rollers, said strands spaced relatively close together along the axes of rotation of a leading end set of rollers and diverging to be spaced further apart along the axes of rotation of a trailing end set of rollers; said second conveyor means includes a plurality of endless strands engaging sets of rollers, said strands spaced relatively close together along the axes of rotation of 'a leading end set of rollers and diverging to be spaced fu-rther apart along the axes of rotation of -a trailing end set of rollers, said sets of rollers located longitudinally of said first conveyor so that strands of said second conveyor means form a smooth continuous path with strands of said first conveyor means; and said third conveyor 'means includes a plurality of endless strands trained about rollers located longitudinally of said second conveyor means so that strands of said third conveyor means form a smooth continuous path with strands of said second conveyor means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the leading end rollers of said second and third conveyor means are positioned upstream of the trailing end rollers and said first and second conveyor means, respectively, whereby to interdigitate the strands of successive conveyors; and arching means are provided to elevate the respective stra-nds of said conveyors above the rollers of successive conveyor-s.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the strands of said third conveyor means are fluid absorbent, and said appliactor means include -a fluid absorbent applicator rolle-r having its axis of rotation substantially parallel to said third conveyor roller axes and located to contact the underside of a conveying run formed by the strands of said third conveyor means, drive means for yrotating said applicator roller in the same direction as and at a faster linear speed than said third conveyor means, and iluid supply means for supplying deplitatory iluid to said applicator roller.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein raised rollers are located between the respective leading and trailing end sets of rollers for each of said first and Second conveyor means, said raised rollers also being positioned upstream of said second leading end set of rollers and upstream of said third leading end roller, respectively, whereby to arch the endless strands of said r st and second conveyor means sufficiently to clear the rollers of the other interdigating conveyor.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 including a pivoted roller positioned aboue said applicator roller for gravity-urged contact with pelts conveyed on the upper run of said third conveyor strands.

10. A method of applying ya depilatory solution to a pelt comprising: stretching the pelt laterally by moving the pelt in a given direction over a substantially horizontal path diverging in a lateral direction; diverting the leading edge of said pelt to a second substantially horizontal 25 path moving in said given direction and intersecting said irst path; stretching the pelt longitudinally by moving said second path at a speed greater than that of said rst path; stretching the pelt a second time laterally by diverging said second path in a lateral direction; diverting the leading edge of said pelt to a third substantially horizontal path moving in said given direction and intersecting said second path; stretching the pelt a second time longitudinally by moving said third path at a speed greater than that of said second path; and applying depilatory uid to the pelt as it moves along said third path.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein depilatory fluid is applied by wiping one side of the pelt in the direction of movement at a faster speed than that of the pelt at the point of uid contact, while restraining the opposite side of the pelt from displacement from said third path.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,257,595 2/1918 Flanagan 118--33 1,809,909 6/1931 Pierini 69-28 2,234,813 3/1941 Tomaino 69-28 2,479,466 8/1949 Braun 69-28 3,198,516 8/1965 Withorn et al.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

ALFRED R. GUEST, Assistant Exmnncr. 

